Though we frequently caution people not to “bet the lunch money” on a dog show, we cannot resist doing some handicapping on the upcoming Westminster Kennel Club show. Such an endeavor is fraught with pitfalls. All dog shows have a certain element of unpredictability and every weekend we report on big upsets and breakout winning performances, but no show is less predictable than the annual Garden Party. Nonetheless, we promised you our choices for Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW) and here they are.
First up, the Sporting Group. Two of our Sporting Dogs are repeat predictions from last year. Currently sitting at the top of our 2011 rankings is the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction. Beckham and handler Linda Pitts finished 2010 as the Number Five Dog All Breeds with 23 BIS and 96 Sporting Group wins. Thus far this year they have garnered four Bests In Show, including an impressive win this past weekend in Atlanta. Beckham was bred by Linda Moore, is owned by Bruce Vandeman, Carolee Douglas, Mary Walker, & C Cassidy, and handled Linda & Mike Pitts.
The Irish Setter, GCH CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed, was last year’s Number One sporting Dog and Number Three Dog All Breeds winning a record 43 BIS and 123 Sporting Groups and becoming the winningest Irish Setter of all time. Emily’s breeders are Debbie Burke, Timothy Burke & Ellen Bieler, owners Debbie Burke & Nancy Lee Conner, and handler Adam Bernardin.
The Weimaraner, GCH CH Silhouette’s LifeInTheFastLane, is one of our dark horses, or at least a horse of a different color, that inimitable Weimaraner gray. Jimmie, 2010’s Number One Weimaraner, stayed pretty close to his west coast base last year, but still managed five all breed Bests and 34 Sporting Group Firsts. Jimmie was bred and is owned by Cindy & Bruce Cassidy and handled by Keith Pautz.
GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction
First up, the Sporting Group. Two of our Sporting Dogs are repeat predictions from last year. Currently sitting at the top of our 2011 rankings is the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction. Beckham and handler Linda Pitts finished 2010 as the Number Five Dog All Breeds with 23 BIS and 96 Sporting Group wins. Thus far this year they have garnered four Bests In Show, including an impressive win this past weekend in Atlanta. Beckham was bred by Linda Moore, is owned by Bruce Vandeman, Carolee Douglas, Mary Walker, & C Cassidy, and handled Linda & Mike Pitts.
GCH CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed
The Irish Setter, GCH CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed, was last year’s Number One sporting Dog and Number Three Dog All Breeds winning a record 43 BIS and 123 Sporting Groups and becoming the winningest Irish Setter of all time. Emily’s breeders are Debbie Burke, Timothy Burke & Ellen Bieler, owners Debbie Burke & Nancy Lee Conner, and handler Adam Bernardin.
GCH CH Silhouette’s LifeInTheFastLane
The Weimaraner, GCH CH Silhouette’s LifeInTheFastLane, is one of our dark horses, or at least a horse of a different color, that inimitable Weimaraner gray. Jimmie, 2010’s Number One Weimaraner, stayed pretty close to his west coast base last year, but still managed five all breed Bests and 34 Sporting Group Firsts. Jimmie was bred and is owned by Cindy & Bruce Cassidy and handled by Keith Pautz.
Rounding out our Sporting Group picks is the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Cerise’s Tender Is The Night. Zelda was the Number One English Springer Spaniel in the US last with three BIS and 23 Sporting Groups. She has copped eight Group One’s so far this year, including one over the Cocker, Beckham, last weekend in Atlanta the big Conyers Kennel Club Of Georgia show. Zelda was bred by Dorothy Cherry & Donna Herzig, is owned by Dorothy Cherry, Carl Blaine, & Fran Sunseri, and handled by Howard Huber Jr.
My choice is Beckam!
ReplyDeleteI don't think beckam can be shown because Linda is on the judging panel, and Zelda won't win the breed under Doug Johnson
ReplyDeleteLinda is only judging juniors so she is still allowed to show. I love Beckham and in my opinion is one of the best cockers the Pitts have shown in years. Zelda is lovely as well...and don't forget she ddin't start being campagined until the spring of 2010!
ReplyDeleteIf a judge is just judging Junior Showmanship they can always show at the same show of which they are judging.
ReplyDeleteShe can't show if she attends any of the judges parties!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the very nice comments about Beckham.
ReplyDeleteLinda does have the honor of judging the finals of Junior Showmanship on Tuesday evening. She is not attending any function involving the judges (and if you know Linda she is not much of a party-goer). Plus, she is not showing Beckham. Because of her knees, Mike has been showing him since late September and he will be showing him at WKC.
Have to say, I lean toward the Irish Setter. She is in her prime, Adam has her in beautiful condition, and she is simply stunning in the big ring. I'm betting she'll be the crowd favorite this year!
ReplyDeleteShe has to get out of the breed first, she was a top contender last year and did not even win the breed so don't be so sure
ReplyDeleteMy honest and educated guess is that Mike Pitts will win the Sporting group with Beckham and also have a good shot at BIS if he does, unless Emily the Irish Setter is able to make it out of the breed; if so I think it could be between either of them.
ReplyDeleteBut I am genuinely impressed with how much Beckham has changed and matured over the past year, and after being involved with Cockers for the past eleven years (and being EXTREMELY critical of myself and everyone else), I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. If he doesn't win the group I think it will be a very long time before any other Cocker will have a chance at coming close.
It will probably be Beckham,he is a very lovely dog to watch.
ReplyDeleteI would be happy if Jimmie placed, but the sporting group is a tough group.
Surprised not to see GCh. Ripsnorter's Mt. View Lookout "Scout", the german wirehaired pointer as a cointender!
ReplyDeleteHe isn't entered!!
ReplyDeletewhere's the German Wirehair Pointer, Ripsnorters Mt View Lookout?
ReplyDeleteHe's been missing ?!?!?!
where can one the entries?! Are they posted anywhere??
ReplyDelete